• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic SZ10 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Panasonic SZ10

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

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Buy the Panasonic SZ10

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Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus VR-340

Panasonic SZ10
Olympus VR-340
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus VR-340
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ10
Nikon S6400
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out
Olympus E-PL9
Nikon S6400
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic SZ8

Panasonic SZ10
Panasonic SZ8
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic SZ8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic SZ10
Panasonic GX85
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic SZ10
Olympus E-PL8
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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